PEKIN DUCKS. 235 



selves ; only taking precautions against rats, to which duck- 

 lings fall victims far oftener than any other poultry. 



The Pekin Duck is a recent introduction, and one of the 

 most valuable. It was imported direct from Pekin into both 

 England and the United States independently, in the year 

 1873, but most English importations have been from the 

 American stock. The characteristics are most marked and 

 distinct in many points. The plumage is white, with a most 

 peculiar canary-yellow under-colour all through it; but the 

 duck differs chiefly from others in a remarkable curved or boat- 

 shaped contour of the body, both breast and stern being so 

 curved as irresistibly to suggest the notion of a birch-bark 

 canoe. The legs and bill are deep yellow or reddish-orange, 

 the legs set far back, which makes the bird walk rather 

 upright. Some birds have been shown destitute of the yellow 

 tinge through the feather, but there have generally been other 

 signs in such of a cross with the Aylesbury. 



This breed is the best layer (on an average) of all the ducks, 

 and very seldom desires to sit at all, though some instances are 

 recorded. It is very hardy, and grows fast ; and it gives the 

 breeder a white duck without that trouble about the bill which 

 so adds to the difficulty of breeding Aylesbury ducks. The 

 size is good, though the weight is seldom what might be 

 supposed. "We once knew a duck weigh 11 Ibs., but, as a rule, 

 very large specimens do not exceed 15 Ibs. per pair ; the flesh 

 is, however, delicate and peculiarly free from grossness. On 

 the whole this must be pronounced one of our most valuable 

 breeds, and is rapidly making way. Its appearance on the 

 water is very ornamental 



The Cayuga is a large black duck, originating in North 

 America. The original wild stock is no doubt descended from 

 the mallard, and was of a brownish black, with an irregular white 

 collar round the drake's neck. Breeding to get out these faults 

 of colour at first reduced the size ; but this was recovered, and 



